Written by: Bridget Virden, Senior Travel Planner
In case you haven’t heard – there’s a brand-new theme park joining the ranks at Universal Orlando Resort. Epic Universe officially opens on May 22, 2025, so when Universal offered travel agents preview tickets, I jumped at the opportunity! I was so excited to spend a day exploring Epic Universe and here are five things that stood out to me about this park.
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1. Epic Universe takes “immersive” to a new level!
Five different “lands” comprise Epic Universe and each one is entered through a portal. Celestial Park is the unifying thread that runs from the main entrance of the park to Helios Grand Hotel at the opposite end. Having this “celestial” theme ties the three new hotels and five lands together in such a cohesive way and creates a storyline that I think works extremely well. Even though each land is very different from one other, it makes sense to travel through each portal and find yourself immersed in another world!
And immersed is an understatement! Each land is meticulously themed and absolutely stunning. I know there are so many details I missed, and I can’t wait to visit again and take my time in each land. (Spoiler alert – I’ve already booked my second and third visits!)
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● Celestial Park (Park Hub)
● Stardust Racers – A dual-launched steel racing coaster by Mack Rides, featuring two tracks named Pulsar and Photon, each reaching 133 feet and speeds up to 62 mph.
● Constellation Carousel – A celestial-themed carousel offering a whimsical ride experience.
● Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – An elevator-style dark ride simulating a chase through the Ministry of Magic
● Le Cirque Arcanus – A live theatrical show set in the magical circus from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Dark Universe
● Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – A dark ride utilizing KUKA-arm technology, showcasing Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments with classic monsters.
● Curse of the Werewolf – A multi-launch spinning coaster themed after The WolfMan
● Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience – A retail and interactive experience themed as the former lab of a fictional character from Bride of Frankenstein.
● How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
● Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – A launched family coaster, simulating dragon training
● Dragon Racer’s Rally – A Gerstlauer Sky Fly flat ride where guests control their own spins while racing dragons.
● Fyre Drill – An interactive boat ride, allowing guests to shoot water cannons at targets.
● Viking Training Camp – A play area offering various activities for children.
●A live stage show featuring dragon training antics.
● Super Nintendo World
● Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – An augmented reality dark ride where guests race through Mario Kart tracks, aiming and shooting virtual shells.
● Mine-Cart Madness – A “Boom Coaster” based on Donkey Kong, featuring the illusion of jumping over missing track portions.
● Yoshi’s Adventure – An omnimover attraction where guests join Yoshi on a quest to find the Baby Yoshis.
2. Facial recognition lockers!
Many attractions at Epic Universe do not allow riders to bring loose articles onto the ride. When this is the case, complimentary lockers are provided before boarding the attraction. The lockers at Epic Universe utilize facial recognition, so there’s no fumbling around to find your park ticket to open a locker and store your belongings. Simply walk up to the locker bank and tap the screen to snap your photo. Once validated your locker will pop open. You’ll follow the same procedure to collect your items after riding. This made storing and retrieving items so easy! Love this new system!
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3. Water bottle refill stations
Florida weather can really heat up, especially during the summer, so it’s important to stay hydrated when you’re spending a day outdoors. Epic Universe has made it easy to make sure you’re drinking enough H20 by including water bottle refill stations throughout the park. We saw stations frequently and took advantage of them to stay hydrated AND save money! And of course, refill stations were themed to their respective lands.
4. So many food options!
We commented several times throughout the day about how many restaurants and food counters there were at Epic Universe! You will NOT go hungry! We had lunch at Pizza Moon (adorable restaurant and delicious pizza!), shared the PB&J mac and cheese cone at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel in Isle of Berk (so good!), and tried several appetizers at Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World (definitely Instagram worthy!). We still have a long list of must-try foods and beverages for our next visit!
One thing I loved about all the quick service restaurants we visited was the QR code ordering from the table. Instead of lining up at the counter, tables have QR codes that allow you to peruse the menu and place your order. You also have the option of entering your table number, and team members bring your meal right to your table.
5. Atmosphere entertainment
I’ve already mentioned how meticulously-themed each land is, but the street performers we encountered throughout the park were what made Epic Universe come to life! In each land we visited the performers added an extra-special flair and took the theming up a notch!
In Celestial Park we loved watching the living statues. There were musicians playing instruments and singing on the streets of Paris in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Vikings roamed the land in Isle of Berk, and we were sized-up by Ygor in Dark Universe. There was also a violinist in Dark Universe who took her role very seriously and definitely sent a shiver down our spines! And of course, who doesn’t want to meet Mario, Luigi, and the other beloved characters in Super Nintendo World. Stumbling upon this atmosphere entertainment was like finding a surprise – a little something extra that made the day even more fun.
Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is more than just a new theme park—it’s a bold leap into the future of immersive entertainment. From the thrilling duels of Starfall Racers to the nostalgic charm of Super Nintendo World, every corner offers something extraordinary. Whether you’re a roller coaster enthusiast, a Harry Potter aficionado, or a fan of vibrant culinary experiences, this park has it all. As the grand opening approaches on May 22, 2025, now is the perfect time to plan your visit. Don’t miss out on the chance to be among the first to experience the magic— reach out to your Middle of the Magic planner and let us help you create your Epic adventure!
